The Duke of Cambridge adopted a less-is-more approach to his royal duties on Thursday’s visit to Evelina London Children’s Hospital when he gave a public debut to a close-cropped haircut.

The new style created a buzz but a look through the archives reveals that William’s hairstyle has been a work in progress.

William's no-nonsense close-cropped style raised eyebrows on Thursday (Daniel Leal-Olivas/PA)
William’s no-nonsense close-cropped style raised eyebrows on Thursday (Daniel Leal-Olivas/PA)
On a visit to Merseyside in September, the duke sported a style associated with Sir Bobby Charlton (Danny Lawson/PA)
On a visit to Merseyside in September, the Duke sported a style associated with Sir Bobby Charlton (Danny Lawson/PA)
In truth few were studying William's hair when Princess Charlotte made her public debut (Anthony Devlin/PA)
In truth few were studying William’s hair when Princess Charlotte made her public debut (Anthony Devlin/PA)
William and Kate introducing George to the world (Dominc Lipinski/PA)
William and Kate introducing George to the world (Dominc Lipinski/PA)
Prince William and Kate Middleton during their wedding service at Westminster Abbey in 2011 (Andrew Milligan/PA)
Prince William and Kate Middleton during their wedding service at Westminster Abbey in 2011 (Andrew Milligan/PA)
William standing in a helicopter hanger after saying goodbye to Britain's Queen Elizabeth II and the Duke of Edinburgh during a visit to RAF Valley in Anglesey in April 2011 (John Stillwell/PA)
Windswept William standing in a helicopter hanger during a visit to RAF Valley in Anglesey in April 2011 (John Stillwell/PA)
William on the day his engagement with Kate Middleton was announced in 2010 (John Stillwell/PA)
William brushes up well on the day his engagement with Kate Middleton was announced in 2010 (John Stillwell/PA)
A touch of hipster style was on display at Sandringham on Christmas Day in 2008 (Lewis Whyld/PA)
A touch of hipster style was on display at Sandringham on Christmas Day in 2008 (Lewis Whyld/PA)
William on a public engagement with schoolchildren in 2005 (Andrew Parsons)
William on a public engagement with schoolchildren in 2005 (Andrew Parsons)
William at the unveiling of a fountain in memory of his mother in 2004 (PA)
William at the unveiling of a fountain in memory of his mother in 2004 (PA)
William sports a full head of hair in Scotland in 2001 (David Cheskin/PA)
William sports a full head of hair in Scotland in 2001 (David Cheskin/PA)